By: Noor Eszereen Juferi
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 – A Senior Lecturer from the Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FPV), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Dr. Wan Nor Fitri Wan Jaafar, has received the 8th edition (2021) of the Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment (MAGIA).
He was among the five who also received the same award.
It was presented by the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, as the Royal Patron of the Board of Trustees for the Merdeka Award. Also present at the ceremony were Raja Permaisuri Perak, Tuanku Zara Salim.
The award was made available with the collaboration from Petronas, Shell and ExxonMobil.
The 12th edition of the Merdeka Award ceremony (2020) was also held to celebrate last year's recipients, as the physical award ceremony was not available due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Wan Nor Fitri said he was selected to be present at the Centre of Conservation Genomics, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, to conduct laboratory work on cloning and stem cells techniques in wildlife reproduction.
He said wildlife such as tigers have a critical decline in population and are among the main species that will significantly benefit from the technology.
"The initial idea of this research emerged due to the extinction of the Sumatran Rhinoceros in 2019. Various efforts and plans were proposed by the Malaysian government to ensure the survival of rhinos, but none was materialised in the molecular fields: stem cells and cloning.
“I do believe and hope that it is not too late for us to help save the Malayan tigers and collectively gather our efforts towards the sustainability of wildlife in Malaysia,” he added.
His research visit to the United States of America, India and Indonesia will take place in 2022 and 2023.
MAGIA was introduced back in 2012 to help the Malaysian younger generations to build their expertise by gaining learning experience via placements in various international institutions or organisations for three months. - UPM
